求上帝申冤

大卫的诗。

35 耶和华啊,
求你与我的敌人为敌,
攻击那些攻击我的人。
求你拿起大小盾牌来帮助我,
举起矛枪攻击追赶我的人。
求你对我说:
“我是你的拯救。”
愿谋杀我的人蒙羞受辱,
谋害我的人落荒而逃!
愿耶和华的天使驱散他们,
如风吹散糠秕!
愿他们的道路漆黑泥泞,
有耶和华的天使在后追赶!
因为他们无故设网罗,
挖陷阱要害我。
愿他们突遭祸患,
作茧自缚,自食恶果!
我要因耶和华而欢欣,
因祂的拯救而快乐。
10 我从心底发出赞叹:
耶和华啊,谁能像你?
你拯救弱者免受欺压,
拯救穷人免遭掠夺。
11 恶人诬告我,
盘问我毫无所知的事情。
12 他们对我以恶报善,
令我伤心欲绝。
13 他们生病时,
我披上麻衣,
谦卑地为他们禁食祷告,
但上帝没有垂听。
14 我为他们哀伤,
视他们为朋友、弟兄;
我低头为他们哭泣,
如同哀悼自己的母亲。
15 我遭遇患难时,
他们却聚在一起幸灾乐祸,
合伙诽谤我。
素不相识的人也群起攻击我,
不住地毁谤我。
16 他们肆无忌惮地嘲弄我,
咬牙切齿地憎恶我。

17 耶和华啊,
你袖手旁观要到何时?
求你救我的性命免遭残害,
救我脱离这些狮子。
18 我要在大会中称谢你,
在众人面前赞美你。
19 求你不要让无故攻击我的人幸灾乐祸,
不要让无故恨我的人沾沾自喜。
20 他们言语暴戾,
谋害安分守己的人。
21 他们高喊:“哈哈!哈哈!
我们亲眼看见了。”
22 耶和华啊,这一切你都看见了,
求你不要再缄默,不要远离我。
23 我的上帝,我的主啊,
求你起来为我辩护,为我申冤。
24 我的上帝耶和华啊,
求你按你的公义宣告我无罪,
别让他们幸灾乐祸。
25 别让他们说:
“哈哈,我们如愿以偿了!”
别让他们说:
“我们除掉他了!”
26 愿幸灾乐祸的人蒙羞受辱,
自高自大的人无地自容!
27 愿盼望我冤屈得雪的人扬声欢呼!
愿他们常说:“耶和华当受尊崇!
祂乐意赐福给自己的仆人。”
28 我要诉说你的公义,
终日赞美你。

人的邪恶与上帝的美善

耶和华的仆人大卫的诗,交给乐长。

36 罪恶在恶人内心深处说话,
他们眼中毫无对上帝的畏惧。
他们自以为是,浑然不知自己的罪,
也不憎恶自己的罪。
他们满口恶言谎话,
毫无智慧和善行。
他们躺在床上盘算作恶,
执意走罪恶的道路,
无恶不作。
耶和华啊,你的慈爱广及诸天,
你的信实高达穹苍。
你的公义稳如高山,
你的判断深不可测。
耶和华啊,你保护人类,
也保护牲畜。
上帝啊,
你的慈爱无比宝贵!
世人都在你的翅膀下寻求荫庇。
你让他们饱享你殿里的美食,
畅饮你乐河中的水。
因为你是生命的泉源,
在你的光中我们得见光明。

10 求你常施慈爱给认识你的人,
以公义恩待心地正直的人。
11 别让骄傲人的脚践踏我,
别让凶恶人的手驱赶我。
12 看啊!恶人已经摔倒在地,
再也爬不起来。

求上帝伸冤

大衛的詩。

35 耶和華啊,
求你與我的敵人為敵,
攻擊那些攻擊我的人。
求你拿起大小盾牌來幫助我,
舉起矛槍攻擊追趕我的人。
求你對我說:
「我是你的拯救。」
願謀殺我的人蒙羞受辱,
謀害我的人落荒而逃!
願耶和華的天使驅散他們,
如風吹散糠秕!
願他們的道路漆黑泥濘,
有耶和華的天使在後追趕!
因為他們無故設網羅,
挖陷阱要害我。
願他們突遭禍患,
作繭自縛,自食惡果!
我要因耶和華而歡欣,
因祂的拯救而快樂。
10 我從心底發出讚歎:
耶和華啊,誰能像你?
你拯救弱者免受欺壓,
拯救窮人免遭掠奪。
11 惡人誣告我,
盤問我毫無所知的事情。
12 他們對我以惡報善,
令我傷心欲絕。
13 他們生病時,
我披上麻衣,
謙卑地為他們禁食禱告,
但上帝沒有垂聽。
14 我為他們哀傷,
視他們為朋友、弟兄;
我低頭為他們哭泣,
如同哀悼自己的母親。
15 我遭遇患難時,
他們卻聚在一起幸災樂禍,
合夥誹謗我。
素不相識的人也群起攻擊我,
不住地譭謗我。
16 他們肆無忌憚地嘲弄我,
咬牙切齒地憎惡我。

17 耶和華啊,
你袖手旁觀要到何時?
求你救我的性命免遭殘害,
救我脫離這些獅子。
18 我要在大會中稱謝你,
在眾人面前讚美你。
19 求你不要讓無故攻擊我的人幸災樂禍,
不要讓無故恨我的人沾沾自喜。
20 他們言語暴戾,
謀害安分守己的人。
21 他們高喊:「哈哈!哈哈!
我們親眼看見了。」
22 耶和華啊,這一切你都看見了,
求你不要再緘默,不要遠離我。
23 我的上帝,我的主啊,
求你起來為我辯護,為我伸冤。
24 我的上帝耶和華啊,
求你按你的公義宣告我無罪,
別讓他們幸災樂禍。
25 別讓他們說:
「哈哈,我們如願以償了!」
別讓他們說:
「我們除掉他了!」
26 願幸災樂禍的人蒙羞受辱,
自高自大的人無地自容!
27 願盼望我冤屈得雪的人揚聲歡呼!
願他們常說:「耶和華當受尊崇!
祂樂意賜福給自己的僕人。」
28 我要訴說你的公義,
終日讚美你。

人的邪惡與上帝的美善

耶和華的僕人大衛的詩,交給樂長。

36 罪惡在惡人內心深處說話,
他們眼中毫無對上帝的畏懼。
他們自以為是,渾然不知自己的罪,
也不憎惡自己的罪。
他們滿口惡言謊話,
毫無智慧和善行。
他們躺在床上盤算作惡,
執意走罪惡的道路,
無惡不作。
耶和華啊,你的慈愛廣及諸天,
你的信實高達穹蒼。
你的公義穩如高山,
你的判斷深不可測。
耶和華啊,你保護人類,
也保護牲畜。
上帝啊,
你的慈愛無比寶貴!
世人都在你的翅膀下尋求蔭庇。
你讓他們飽享你殿裡的美食,
暢飲你樂河中的水。
因為你是生命的泉源,
在你的光中我們得見光明。

10 求你常施慈愛給認識你的人,
以公義恩待心地正直的人。
11 別讓驕傲人的腳踐踏我,
別讓兇惡人的手驅趕我。
12 看啊!惡人已經摔倒在地,
再也爬不起來。

35 Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them.

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

22 This thou hast seen, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

36 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 35

Of David.

Contend,(A) Lord, with those who contend with me;
    fight(B) against those who fight against me.
Take up shield(C) and armor;
    arise(D) and come to my aid.(E)
Brandish spear(F) and javelin[a](G)
    against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
    “I am your salvation.(H)

May those who seek my life(I)
    be disgraced(J) and put to shame;(K)
may those who plot my ruin
    be turned back(L) in dismay.
May they be like chaff(M) before the wind,
    with the angel of the Lord(N) driving them away;
may their path be dark and slippery,
    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Since they hid their net(O) for me without cause(P)
    and without cause dug a pit(Q) for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise—(R)
    may the net they hid entangle them,
    may they fall into the pit,(S) to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice(T) in the Lord
    and delight in his salvation.(U)
10 My whole being will exclaim,
    “Who is like you,(V) Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong(W) for them,
    the poor and needy(X) from those who rob them.”

11 Ruthless witnesses(Y) come forward;
    they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good(Z)
    and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth(AA)
    and humbled myself with fasting.(AB)
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14     I went about mourning(AC)
    as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
    as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;(AD)
    assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
    They slandered(AE) me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;[b](AF)
    they gnashed their teeth(AG) at me.

17 How long,(AH) Lord, will you look on?
    Rescue me from their ravages,
    my precious life(AI) from these lions.(AJ)
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;(AK)
    among the throngs(AL) I will praise you.(AM)
19 Do not let those gloat over me
    who are my enemies(AN) without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason(AO)
    maliciously wink the eye.(AP)
20 They do not speak peaceably,
    but devise false accusations(AQ)
    against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer(AR) at me and say, “Aha! Aha!(AS)
    With our own eyes we have seen it.”

22 Lord, you have seen(AT) this; do not be silent.
    Do not be far(AU) from me, Lord.
23 Awake,(AV) and rise(AW) to my defense!
    Contend(AX) for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
    do not let them gloat(AY) over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha,(AZ) just what we wanted!”
    or say, “We have swallowed him up.”(BA)

26 May all who gloat(BB) over my distress(BC)
    be put to shame(BD) and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me(BE)
    be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication(BF)
    shout for joy(BG) and gladness;
may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,
    who delights(BH) in the well-being of his servant.”(BI)

28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,(BJ)
    your praises all day long.(BK)

Psalm 36[c]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

I have a message from God in my heart
    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:[d](BL)
There is no fear(BM) of God
    before their eyes.(BN)

In their own eyes they flatter themselves
    too much to detect or hate their sin.(BO)
The words of their mouths(BP) are wicked and deceitful;(BQ)
    they fail to act wisely(BR) or do good.(BS)
Even on their beds they plot evil;(BT)
    they commit themselves to a sinful course(BU)
    and do not reject what is wrong.(BV)

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness(BW) to the skies.(BX)
Your righteousness(BY) is like the highest mountains,(BZ)
    your justice like the great deep.(CA)
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.(CB)
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!(CC)
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.(CD)
They feast on the abundance of your house;(CE)
    you give them drink from your river(CF) of delights.(CG)
For with you is the fountain of life;(CH)
    in your light(CI) we see light.

10 Continue your love(CJ) to those who know you,(CK)
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.(CL)
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked(CM) drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!(CN)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:3 Or and block the way
  2. Psalm 35:16 Septuagint; Hebrew may mean Like an ungodly circle of mockers,
  3. Psalm 36:1 In Hebrew texts 36:1-12 is numbered 36:2-13.
  4. Psalm 36:1 Or A message from God: The transgression of the wicked / resides in their hearts.

The Lord the Avenger of His People

A Psalm of David.

35 Plead[a] my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
Take hold of shield and [b]buckler,
And stand up for my help.
Also draw out the spear,
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”

(A)Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be (B)turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt.
(C)Let them be like chaff before the wind,
And let the [c]angel of the Lord chase them.
Let their way be (D)dark and slippery,
And let the angel of the Lord pursue them.
For without cause they have (E)hidden their net for me in a pit,
Which they have dug without cause for my life.
[d]Let (F)destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord;
It shall rejoice in His salvation.
10 (G)All my bones shall say,
Lord, (H)who is like You,
Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him,
Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”

11 Fierce witnesses rise up;
They ask me things that I do not know.
12 (I)They reward me evil for good,
To the sorrow of my soul.
13 But as for me, (J)when they were sick,
My clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own [e]heart.
14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down [f]heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

15 But in my [g]adversity they rejoiced
And gathered together;
Attackers gathered against me,
And I did not know it;
They tore at me and did not cease;
16 With ungodly mockers at feasts
They gnashed at me with their teeth.

17 Lord, how long will You (K)look on?
Rescue me from their destructions,
My precious life from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise You among [h]many people.

19 (L)Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies;
Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.
20 For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful matters
Against the quiet ones in the land.
21 They also opened their mouth wide against me,
And said, “Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seen it.

22 This You have seen, O Lord;
Do not keep silence.
O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,
To my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness;
And let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who rejoice at my hurt;
Let them be (M)clothed with shame and dishonor
Who exalt themselves against me.

27 (N)Let them shout for joy and be glad,
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
“Let the Lord be magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.

Man’s Wickedness and God’s Perfections

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.

36 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
(O)There is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
(P)He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
(Q)He devises wickedness on his bed;
He sets himself (R)in a way that is not good;
He does not [i]abhor (S)evil.

Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the [j]great mountains;
(T)Your judgments are a great deep;
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men (U)put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
(V)They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from (W)the river of Your pleasures.
(X)For with You is the fountain of life;
(Y)In Your light we see light.

10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been cast down and are not able to rise.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:1 Contend for me
  2. Psalm 35:2 A small shield
  3. Psalm 35:5 Or Angel
  4. Psalm 35:8 Lit. Let destruction he does not know come upon him,
  5. Psalm 35:13 Lit. bosom
  6. Psalm 35:14 in mourning
  7. Psalm 35:15 limping, stumbling
  8. Psalm 35:18 a mighty
  9. Psalm 36:4 reject, loathe
  10. Psalm 36:6 Lit. mountains of God

保罗在非斯都面前申辩

25 非斯都上任三天后,便从凯撒利亚启程上耶路撒冷。 祭司长和犹太人的首领向他控告保罗, 恳求他将保罗押回耶路撒冷,他们想在途中埋伏杀害保罗。 非斯都却拒绝道:“保罗现在关押在凯撒利亚,我很快会回到那里。 让你们的首领跟我一起去吧,如果那人有什么过犯,可以在那里告他。”

非斯都在耶路撒冷只逗留了十天八天,便返回了凯撒利亚。第二天,他开庭审讯,命人将保罗带上来。 保罗被带来后,那些从耶路撒冷下来的犹太人站在他周围,指控他犯了各样严重的罪,但是都没有证据。 保罗为自己辩护说:“我从来没有违背犹太律法,亵渎圣殿或反叛凯撒!” 非斯都为了讨好犹太人,就对保罗说:“你是否愿意回耶路撒冷接受我的审讯?”

10 保罗说:“我此刻正站在凯撒的法庭上,这就是我应该受审的地方。你很清楚,我并没有做过什么对不起犹太人的事。 11 如果我做错了,犯了该死的罪,我决不逃避!但他们对我的指控毫无根据,谁也不能把我交给他们。我要向凯撒上诉!”

12 非斯都和议会商讨后,说:“你说要上诉凯撒,就去见凯撒吧!”

非斯都请教亚基帕王

13 过了几天,亚基帕王和百妮姬一起到凯撒利亚问候非斯都。 14 他们在那里住了多日,非斯都对王提起保罗的案子,说:“我这里有一个囚犯,是前任总督腓利斯留下来的。 15 上次我去耶路撒冷的时候,犹太人的祭司长和长老控告他,要求我定他的罪。 16 我告诉他们,按照罗马人的规矩,被告还没有跟原告对质和自辩之前,不能定他的罪。 17 后来他们跟我一起来到这里,我没有耽误,第二天就开庭,吩咐把那人带出来审讯。 18 他们都站起来当面指控他,但所告的并非我料想的罪行, 19 不过是关于他们的宗教和一个叫耶稣的人的一些争论。耶稣已经死了,保罗却说他仍然活着。 20 我不知如何审理这些事情,就问被告是否愿意上耶路撒冷受审。 21 但保罗请求留下来,听皇帝定夺,所以我下令仍然扣留他,等着送交凯撒。”

22 亚基帕对非斯都说:“我想亲自听听他的申诉。”

非斯都说:“你明天就会听到。”

23 第二天,亚基帕和百妮姬在众千夫长和城中达官贵人的陪同下,声势浩大地进了法庭。非斯都下令把保罗带上来后, 24 说:“亚基帕王和在座的各位,你们看,就是这个人,所有的犹太人在这里和耶路撒冷都请求我处死他。 25 但我发现他并没有犯什么该死的罪。既然他要向皇帝上诉,我决定把他押去。 26 只是关于这个人,我没有确切的事由可以奏明皇帝[a]。所以,我把他带到各位面前,特别是亚基帕王面前,以便在审讯之后,我可以有所陈奏。 27 因为在我看来,解送犯人却不奏明罪状不合情理。”

Footnotes

  1. 25:26 希腊文是“主上”,用于对罗马皇帝的尊称。

保羅在非斯都面前申辯

25 非斯都上任三天後,便從凱撒利亞啟程上耶路撒冷。 祭司長和猶太人的首領向他控告保羅, 懇求他將保羅押回耶路撒冷,他們想在途中埋伏殺害保羅。 非斯都卻拒絕道:「保羅現在關押在凱撒利亞,我很快會回到那裡。 讓你們的首領跟我一起去吧,如果那人有什麼過犯,可以在那裡告他。」

非斯都在耶路撒冷只逗留了十天八天,便返回了凱撒利亞。第二天,他開庭審訊,命人將保羅帶上來。 保羅被帶來後,那些從耶路撒冷下來的猶太人站在他周圍,指控他犯了各樣嚴重的罪,但是都沒有證據。 保羅為自己辯護說:「我從來沒有違背猶太律法,褻瀆聖殿或反叛凱撒!」 非斯都為了討好猶太人,就對保羅說:「你是否願意回耶路撒冷接受我的審訊?」

10 保羅說:「我此刻正站在凱撒的法庭上,這就是我應該受審的地方。你很清楚,我並沒有做過什麼對不起猶太人的事。 11 如果我做錯了,犯了該死的罪,我決不逃避!但他們對我的指控毫無根據,誰也不能把我交給他們。我要向凱撒上訴!」

12 非斯都和議會商討後,說:「你說要上訴凱撒,就去見凱撒吧!」

非斯都請教亞基帕王

13 過了幾天,亞基帕王和百妮姬一起到凱撒利亞問候非斯都。 14 他們在那裡住了多日,非斯都對王提起保羅的案子,說:「我這裡有一個囚犯,是前任總督腓利斯留下來的。 15 上次我去耶路撒冷的時候,猶太人的祭司長和長老控告他,要求我定他的罪。 16 我告訴他們,按照羅馬人的規矩,被告還沒有跟原告對質和自辯之前,不能定他的罪。 17 後來他們跟我一起來到這裡,我沒有耽誤,第二天就開庭,吩咐把那人帶出來審訊。 18 他們都站起來當面指控他,但所告的並非我料想的罪行, 19 不過是關於他們的宗教和一個叫耶穌的人的一些爭論。耶穌已經死了,保羅卻說他仍然活著。 20 我不知如何審理這些事情,就問被告是否願意上耶路撒冷受審。 21 但保羅請求留下來,聽皇帝定奪,所以我下令仍然扣留他,等著送交凱撒。」

22 亞基帕對非斯都說:「我想親自聽聽他的申訴。」

非斯都說:「你明天就會聽到。」

23 第二天,亞基帕和百妮姬在眾千夫長和城中達官貴人的陪同下,聲勢浩大地進了法庭。非斯都下令把保羅帶上來後, 24 說:「亞基帕王和在座的各位,你們看,就是這個人,所有的猶太人在這裡和耶路撒冷都請求我處死他。 25 但我發現他並沒有犯什麼該死的罪。既然他要向皇帝上訴,我決定把他押去。 26 只是關於這個人,我沒有確切的事由可以奏明皇帝[a]。所以,我把他帶到各位面前,特別是亞基帕王面前,以便在審訊之後,我可以有所陳奏。 27 因為在我看來,解送犯人卻不奏明罪狀不合情理。」

Footnotes

  1. 25·26 希臘文是「主上」,用於對羅馬皇帝的尊稱。

25 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(A) went up from Caesarea(B) to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(C) They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(D) Festus answered, “Paul is being held(E) at Caesarea,(F) and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(G) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(H) When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(I) but they could not prove them.(J)

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(K) or against Caesar.”

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(L) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(M)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(N) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(O)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(P) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(Q) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(R) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(S) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(T) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(U) with him about their own religion(V) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(W) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(X)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(Y)

Paul Before Agrippa(Z)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(AA) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(AB) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(AC) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(AD) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(AE) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

Paul Appeals to Caesar

25 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from (A)Caesarea to Jerusalem. (B)Then the [a]high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—(C)while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see (D)if there is any fault in him.”

And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about (E)and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, while he answered for himself, (F)“Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”

But Festus, (G)wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, (H)“Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 (I)For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. (J)I appeal to Caesar.”

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Paul Before Agrippa

13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: (K)“There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, 15 (L)about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. 16 (M)To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man [b]to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come together, (N)without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I [c]supposed, 19 (O)but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul (P)appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”

22 Then (Q)Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”

“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”

23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great [d]pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command (R)Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom (S)the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was (T)not fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that (U)he had committed nothing deserving of death, (V)and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:2 NU chief priests
  2. Acts 25:16 NU omits to destruction, although it is implied
  3. Acts 25:18 suspected
  4. Acts 25:23 pageantry